Myanmar reform Radio and Television into public service media

Authorities are set to reform state-owned Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) into public service media, a top official said on Thursday.

According to Minister of Information U Pe Myint, plans are being laid down for such transformation, calling on MRTV staff to produce high-grade programmes, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the reform plan, MRTV will drop its information programme ration from 60 per cent to 45 per cent, increase its entertainment programme from 20 per cent to 35 per cent while keeping 20 per cent in education programmes unchanged, said U Myint Htwe, MRTV director-general.

Pe Myint said the state-owned media should not be used just for propaganda but for broadcasting real news making MRTV become a true public service provider.

Myanmar’s new government has been carrying out state media reform systematically in a bid to connect better with citizens.

The government in August 2012 exempted all private publications from scrutiny before publishing, which was a major step of its media reform to ensure more press freedom in the country.